Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intensified offensive operations against terrorists and criminal syndicates in Katsina State, recording major successes across Matazu, Musawa, Kankia, Dutsin-Ma and Malumfashi Local Government Areas.
The military said the operations, conducted on May 9, led to the neutralisation of suspected terrorists, recovery of rustled livestock and the arrest of suspected drug traffickers.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of the 171 Battalion stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) FUDMA acted on credible intelligence regarding terrorists fleeing recent military offensives in Dikawa.
The troops subsequently laid an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis, where a firefight ensued, resulting in the killing of three suspected terrorists.
Items recovered from the suspects included two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses and assorted charms.
In a separate clearance operation targeting terrorist hideouts in Matazu, Musawa and Kankia Local Government Areas, troops, supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, raided suspected enclaves located in Torcachi, Giginya and Tashar Ganji villages.
The military said the sustained pressure forced the terrorists to abandon their camps and flee the area.
During the operation, troops recovered 175 rustled livestock, which are currently in military custody pending handover to the appropriate authorities in Matazu Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, troops attached to FOB Malumfashi, in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), carried out a raid at Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
The joint operation led to the arrest of six suspected drug peddlers identified as Sani Rabiu, 25; Umar Nasiru, 22; Abulkubus Aminu, 35; Abdullahi Halilu, 27; Abubakar Rabiu, 22; and Abubakar Dahiru, 33.
Security operatives recovered 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5 and 1.8 grams of D5 during the operation.
The suspects and seized narcotics have been transferred to the NDLEA Malumfashi Area Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustained offensive operations against terrorism and criminality across the North-West, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information.
